How to Desolder a Circuit
Sometimes an electronic circuit needs to be disassembled. De-soldering a circuit is a simple process using a soldering iron and removal wick or desoldering pump. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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With the soldering iron at operating temperature, lay the solder removal wick over the joint you wish to desolder. Press the hot soldering iron over the wick.
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The hot wick will heat the solder until it liquefies; at that point, it will flow into the wick, leaving the joint clean and free of solder.
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Continue this process until the circuit has been disassembled.
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Using a desoldering pump is a similar process. Heat the soldered joint with the soldering iron until the solder has melted. At that point, use the pump like a plunger, sucking up the melted solder into the body of the tool. This should remove the solder from the joint, making it easy to disassemble.
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Tips & Warnings
When the wick gets full of solder, cut off the end into a garbage can. The solder removal pump must be emptied periodically.
Be careful of burns or accidental fire; soldering irons can reach upwards of 400 degrees F.
